78 Dodge Truck

Delrio · #1 09/16/13, 06:29 AM

In July it left me stranded. SIL replaced the fuel filters and pump. Drove 12 miles and it stranded me again. He replaced the pump again figuring it was just a bad one. Yesterday I went out and started it, let it run for awhile and kicked it off high idle. It died and wouldn't stay started after that. What could be the problem? And btw...its been 12 miles since the last time. How wierd is that.

Darren · #2 09/16/13, 06:38 AM

Sounds like it takes twelve miles to either warm up or cause the problem. Did he open up the old filter or blow through it to see if it was blocked? When he moves the carb linkgage does he see gasoline squirting from the accelerator pump?

Does that truck have a ballast resister on the firewall? Have you driven the truck much since July?

Delrio · #3 09/16/13, 07:04 AM

Replaced the filters.
Couldn't tell you about the carb linkage.
Yes, I have a ballast resister.
No, I haven't driven the truck much.

Bret4207 · #4 09/16/13, 07:34 AM

Well, start at square one. Fuel, spark, air. It needs those to run. Try starting it and then check the plugs. No sign of gas on the plugs- it's fuel. Wet plugs but no start- it's spark. Wet plugs with spark- either an air intake issue or exhaust issue, but those 2 are rare.

coolrunnin · #5 09/16/13, 08:37 AM

sure sounds like a faulty ballast resistor, they are cheap throw one on it.

Grumpy old man · #6 09/16/13, 08:42 AM

dodges especially those around 1978 are famous for the ballast to go bad .

Delrio · #7 09/17/13, 06:08 AM

Thanks guys, I'll try the ballast resistor whenever it stops raining. Haven't had to replace one in so long I'd forgotten. Always keep a spare in the glovebox!

fordy · #8 09/17/13, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delrio

In July it left me stranded. SIL replaced the fuel filters and pump. Drove 12 miles and it stranded me again. He replaced the pump again figuring it was just a bad one. Yesterday I went out and started it, let it run for awhile and kicked it off high idle. It died and wouldn't stay started after that. What could be the problem? And btw...its been 12 miles since the last time. How wierd is that.

...............You should check....ALL....vacuum lines...........
...............Fuel float in carb can have a hole in it and fill with gas...........
...............Lack of fuel pressure.......you may have a gear driven fuel pump that needs replacing.........
...............Intake manifold gasket can be be malfunctioning , which means the suction at the base of the carb will be insufficient to pull fuel into the combustion chambers , it will idle and not accelerate....
...............If , engine has overheated , the head gaskets will be malfunctioning , check and see if Antifreeze is getting into the oil !
...............This model may have an ignition module that has gone south and needs replacing....... , fordy

HuskyBoris · #9 09/17/13, 07:53 PM

coil wire

backwoodsman7 · #10 09/18/13, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delrio

Yesterday I went out and started it, let it run for awhile and kicked it off high idle. It died and wouldn't stay started after that. What could be the problem?

So it was running OK until it came off high idle, then it wouldn't stay running? I'd be looking at the carb's idle circuit; there's probably some dirt in the idle jet(s). If you can keep it running by pumping the pedal a bit, that's the problem.

Even back when everything had a carburetor, most DIYers didn't understand how they worked and were a little afraid of them. Now that almost nothing newer than the mid-80's has a carb, it's much worse.

Delrio · #11 09/19/13, 06:45 AM

Replaced the ballast resister and the ignition module. Checked the coil wire and vacuum hoses. It won't start at all now. SIL is wanting to check the fuel lines next.
It's frustrating to be a widow and have to look for good help.

Darren · #12 09/19/13, 09:39 AM

If you move the throttle linkage while looking into the carburetor you should see a squirt of gasoline from the carburetor's accelerator pump.

Delrio · #13 10/29/13, 06:25 AM

Thanks for all your replies guys. Finally got it fixed a few weeks ago. Turns out that SIL had put a different sized fuel pump on it and the filter was restricting it. Put in a different sized filter and I'm good to go. But of course such is luck, now I can go but can't stop. Those 35 year old brake lines finally busted yesterday, lol. Thankfully in my driveway!

Grumpy old man · #14 10/30/13, 07:25 PM

Ahh ! the joys of working on old trucks .But it will still put a smile on your face driving down the road ,or a look of terror when the brake lines fail again !